Paper-file



(No Model.)

WARING. PAPER FILE.

, 51 Patented-July 18,1893.

-ers- A, B, and a back D to which said leaves UNITED STATES THOMAS WARING, oF CA DEN, NEW JERSEY.

PAPER-FILE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 501,751, dated July 18,1893.

Application filed July 21,1892. Serial No. 440,746. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known'that I, THOMAS WARING, a citizen of the United States,'and a resident of Camden, New Jersey, have invented certain Improvements in Paper-Files, of which'the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to so construct a file for letters or papers that while said papers are properly confined, in the file w'hen the same is closed, they are, when the fileis open, properly supported and more readily accessible than in files now inuse with which I am familian. This object I attain in the manner hereinafter set forth, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved file showing the same closed. Fig. 2, is a perspective view showing the file open; and Figs. 3 and 4,2are perspectiveviews-on a smaller scale illustrating modified forms of my improved file.

The file consists of opposite leaves or covor covers are suitably hinged so that the file can be closed, as shown in Fig. 1, or opened as shown in Fig. 2, the back D of the file being fiat and by preference, rigid, so as to serve for the support of the file when the same is opened, each of the leaves or covers A, B, then. projecting upwardly at such an angle from the back that while the papers may be laid against either cover and will naturally retain their position, the excess of weight on either cover will not cause the file to tip over. Suitable stays a connecting the covers A, B, and back D may be used to limit the outward movement of said covers, or suitable stops or shoulders on the hinges may be used for the same purpose, orin somecases one of the covers may be rigidly secured to the back, and the other hinged thereto, in which case the stays may extend from one cover to the other. j

In order toretain the papers within the file when the latter is closed, the cover A of the file has, along its edges, guards F which, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, consist of-simple loops of. wire secured to the cover, the loops coming into contact with the other when the file is closed, as shown in Fig. 1. \Vhen the file access to .the'desired' papers. however, the index leaves are disconnected is open, as shown in Fig. 2, the guards of the tween which the papers are sorted alpha-- betically as usual, and when'the file is open,

'as shown in Fig. 2, the index leaves are fully exposed so that ready access can be had to any of the papers in the file, and, to facilitate-such access, the index leaves are, by

preference, disconnected from each other and from the back D of the file at their rear edges so that any number of them can be turned against either cover of the file in orderto gain from the guards, and also from the stays In all cases,

which limit-the movementof the covers-so that neither guards norstays will restrict the free movement of said index leaves. In some cases the guards F may be formed partly on one cover and partly on the other cover,

and in this case but one-cover maybe stayed,

as shown for instance in Fig. 3,-this cover being raised and the other allowed to lie fiat,-

and if it is desired to entirely inclose the papers. when the file is closed the guardson the edges of the covers A and B may consist of rectangular projections F around the edges of the cover, as shown in Fig. 4, these projections, when the fileisclosed, fitting closely one to another seats to provide a complete inclosure for the papers,but being separated one. from another when the file is opened so that the papers can be manipulated from three sides of the file, or the guards may consist of strips extending completely along the side and ends of one or other of 'the covers in some cases.

Any suitable means may be employed for securing the covers together when the file is closed, for instance one of the guard loops may engage with spring fingers b on the op-- posite cover, as shown in Fig. l.

I am aware that paper files havebeen made I in which the opposite covers have been connected at'the ends by bellows folded strips which served to retain the papers in the file and also restricted the movement of the covers, but such strips were connected to the ends of the index leaves andhence prevented of the file when the bulk of the papers was thrown against one cover or the other. In my improved file; however, the stays serve to connect the hinged cover or covers with a rigid portion of the file hence the file; is selfsupporting without the necessity'of suchsuppleinentary feet or legs. By these means my file is prevented from tipping over when a preponderance of weight is'thrown upon either cover. v

Having thus described my invention, I

claim and desire to secure by Letters'Patent 1. The combination in a paper file, of the fiat back and the opposite covers, one or both' hinged to the back, and each capable of assuming a position inclined upwardly and out wardlydfroln said back, with guards around the edges of the file for'retaining the papers therein when the file is closed, but permitting access to the papers both at the top and end of the file when the latter is open, and stays or stops extending from the hinged cover or covers to' a rigid portion of the file forlimiting the movement of said hinged 'cover or covers in respect to said rigid portion when the file is open, and whereby the said file isnot liable to tip over when apreponderance of. weight is thrown uponeithercover, said stops or stays being so located thatthey will not prevent access to the papers at the'end ofthe file when the latter is open, substantially as specified.

.2. The combination'in a paper file, of the flat back andthe opposite covers hit ged thereto, with guards around the edges of the file therein when the file'isclosed, but permitting for preventing'displacement of the papers" access to the papers both at the top and end of the file-when the latter .isopen, and stops or stays extending from the covers to the back x forlimiting the movementof said covers in respect to each other when the file is open, and whereby-the said file is not liable 'to tip over when apreponderance of weight is thrown upon either cover, said stops or stays being so located thatthey will not prevent access to the papers at the end of the file when the latter is open, substantially asspecified.

In testimony 'whereof I have signed my namet'o this specification in the presence of two subscribingwitnesses.

witnessesz A FRANK BEOHTOLI), HARRY SMITH.

THOMAS WARIN'G. 

